TIM-3

T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 (TIM-3),also called HAVCR2, is a co-inhibitory receptor that belongs to the TIM gene family. TIM-3 is a type I trans-membrane protein that was originally discovered as a cell surface marker specific to IFN-γ producing Th1 and Tc1 cells. Hitherto, TIM-3 is detected in different types of immune cells, including T cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs), dendritic cells (DCs), B cells, macrophages, nature killer (NK) cells, and mast cells. Thus far, four distinct ligands for Tim-3 have been reported: galectin-9 (Gal-9), carcinoembryonic antigen cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM-1), high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1), and phosphatidylserine (PtdSer). TIM-3 has been shown to mediate immune tolerance and is also associated with immune exhaustion.